The Fifth Season

Okay, some would argue that we don't even have four seasons here, but I think we do. We are currently in that weird time of year that's between winter and spring. There is snow on Mount Hamilton to the east of us - nothing but rain and wind in the immediate forecast, which is good - we need it.
I call this season "slime season". We have three very large trees on the east side of our condo. For about three quarters of the year they have nice green leaves that shade us and are pretty to look at. After the leaves are gone and before the new ones emerge (which they are starting to now) these trees produce a weird blossom. They are not like flowers, but do contain pollen. They are small, green and when lumped together look rather like caterpillars.
It has been a warm winter so the slime flowers and leaves are coming out together this year. These things blossom, then the rain and wind knock them off the trees and they turn to slime. They are all over our deck, porch and walkways. They cannot be swept away, as they are too sticky and slimy. The only way to get (temporary) relief is to use a hose. As much as we wipe our feet, we track this crud into the house. I hate slime season.